What is the shmita or sabbatical year?
The sabbatical year, shmita in Hebrew, finds it roots in the Torah.
What do I do with a tallit, when it is damaged and can no longer be used?
That is a great question. The tallit is actually made up of two parts – the garment and the fringes attached to the garment.
Why do some Jews wear white on Yom Kippur?
At one time, it was customary for Reform rabbis and cantors to wear robes when leading worship.
Why do Jews fast on Yom Kippur?
The practice of fasting goes back to the biblical verse in Leviticus 26:27, which instructs the people of Israel to "afflict their souls" on Yom Kippur.
At what age do Jews start to participate in a fast on Yom Kippur? What if they are sick and not well enough to fast?
Typically, young people are expected to fast once they have become b’nei mitzvah, the age after which they are considered adults in the religious community.
Is Yom Kippur like confession?
Yom Kippur does have a confession service. Here's how it is and isn't similar to the Catholic practice of confession.
What Greetings are Appropriate on Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur?
Here are the appropriate greetings for the Jewish new year and the Day of Atonement.
How many days is Sukkot?
Sukkot, the Jewish festival of booths (a harvest holiday of thanksgiving), begins on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Tishrei.
I’m a Jew-by-choice. Can we plan to name our baby after a living relative who is not Jewish?
In Ashkenazic practice (Jews of Eastern European origin), the custom is to name a child after a relative who has died, while Sephardim (Jews of Spanish and Middle Eastern origin) tend to name their children after living relatives. Reform practice allows either option.